Writer: Janak

Writer Ratings:
Overall:
Cast:
Plot:
Effects:
Cinematography:

Watch this if you liked: “Chandni Bar”, “Fashion” & “Chameli”

The one thing director Madhur Bhandarkar definitely loves doing is directing a bunch of actresses in a film, even the lead actor of his film must be a female. "Heroine" is directed, written, and co-produced by Bhandarkar himself and it boasts a cast of many female supporting roles by Shahana Goswami, Divya Dutta, Mugdha Godse, Lillete Dubey and the yesteryear star Helen in support for Kareena Kapoor (the lead actress).

Kareena Kapoor looks and works very hard to give her character "Mahi" that in-depth feeling, but like they say, trying too hard sometimes does not work. She does look sensational, but is also brave enough to risk being ugly on screen, literally. At one point, audiences will get more than bored with her trembling character as the film progresses. Arjun Rampal gives some rescue to the film by being the only good looking actor besides Kareena to catch some glimpse of hope throughout the scenes and Randeep Hooda gives his usual best as an antagonist in and out throughout the film. Other supporting cast (female mostly) give a decent performance and are much appreciated for the roles they carry.

The first half though has a delicious and camp quality to it as it's hugely entertaining to watch Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Randeep Hooda delivering well, unintentionally of course. The second half with additional elements such as alcohol, affairs, a sex tape and even a lesbian one-night stand does not save the film. "Heroine" does not even deliver and its get more incredibly boring towards the end. Sadly, the film never rises to the occasion. The only moral value one is going to learn is that selling your soul for the glitz and glamour will always end badly.

Many might argue that Bhandarkar "Heroine" was made with that disappointingly mechanical feeling, but the director can't be blamed entirely. Perhaps with better dialogues, a little more emotion, some comedy scenes and a solid romance angle would have made the film tick.

The soundtrack was composed by Salim Sulaiman and the only songs that will be ringing in ones' ear amongst the many are "Halkat Jawani" by Sunidhi Chauhan and "Main Heroine Hoon" by Aditi Singh Sharma. A good attempt by the musicians, but the songs are more primarily pictured on the item numbers that need one to watch it to get and feel the effect created. The background world of "Heroine" was created nicely by cinematographer Mahesh Limaye though.

Overall, it's a Kareena Kapoor film after all so do expect the super glitz, the glamour, the glossy act, the high attitude, the booties, the over showing of the rivalry and above all - the "Heroine" in Kareena herself. This is one film that many Bollywood fans won't be satisfied with Bhandarkar's take on a female lead as it could have been done much better than "Fashion" (2008), the director's previous super hit film.

Cinema Online, 28 September 2012